Door check and holding device



\ May 26, 1953 R. l. SCHONITZER DOOR CHECK AND HOLDING DEVICE Filed May 3, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY R. l. SCHONITZER DOOR CHECK AND HOLDEIING DEVICE May 26, 1953 Filed May 3, 1948 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g JNVENTOR.

Auaoz y JcWaN/TZEQ BY M95 ATTORNEY Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination door check and holding device for retaining two cooperating members such as an automobile door and its frame in predetermined position with respect to each other and more particularly to a device for checking the movement of a door or the like in one direction and then retaining the door in the checked position.

Devices made in accord with the invention are particularly adapted for use in conjunction with doors and door frames in which the door is hinged on an axis that is somewhat inclined but is more nearly vertical than horizontal and the door is swung between opened and closed positions about that axis. The doors of present day automobiles frequently are hingeably mounted on inclined body posts or pillars, with the result that they have a natural tendency to swing to a closed position. The undesired closing movement of automobile doors as the result of such tendency has resulted in serious personal injury, and the provision of means for releasably holding such doors in open position whenever they are moved thereto is desirable. The present checking and holding device functions when such a door is opened to resiliently limit the amount which the door may open and thereafter to retain the door in the opened position until it is pushed manually to its closed position. More specifically the invention relates to the combination of a link member, spring arms carried by the link and a generally channel shaped device adapted to interlock with the spring arms in such manner that when the link is carried by either the door or frame member and the channel by the other member the door is retained in an opened position. The A. H. Breitenwischer Patent No. 2,237,046 of April 1, 1941 discloses a door check and holding device of the general type herein illustrated and the present invention is an improvement on the device of said patent.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type indicated, hereafter referred to as a door checking or door checking and holding mechanism, that is of improved and simplified construction. Another object is to provide a door holding mechanism in which a channel member is formed with two substantially parallel ribs adapted to lie on opposite sides of a flat link member movable with respect thereto and be locked between the link member and spring arms carried thereby when the door is in the opened position. Still another object is to provide in combination with a door holding device a flat link carried by either the door or frame member and a channel element carried by the other member in such manner that the link slides between the ribs of the channel through an opening in the web thereof and spring arms carried by the link lock the ribs between them to retain the door and the frame member in the desired position with respect to each other. A further object of the invention is to provide a door check and holding device in which the holding elements carried by the frame and door respectively may easily interlock with each other to hold the members positively in the desired relative position until manual pressure is exerted on the door suiiicient to disengage the elements and allow the door to be closed. Still an additional object is to provide simple, inexpensive and durable channel devices whose ribs are adapted to engage with the link carried mechanism. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification read with reference to the accompanying drawings. The novel features of the invention are set forth in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings: Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a portion of a door member and door pillar or post member of an automobile body showing in solid lines the door in opened position and in dot and dash lines the position of the door and door check mechanism when the former is in closed position; Figures 2 and 3 are sections through Figure 1 as indicated by the lines 2--2 and 33 respectively thereon; Figure 4 is a fragmentary section in the plane of Figure 1 showing a modified form of channel construction; Figure 5 is an elevation looking in the direction as indicated by the lines 5--5 on Figure 4 showing in detail this modified form of channel construction; Figure 6 is a section through Figure 5 as indicated by the lines 6-6 thereon; Figure 7 illustrates a further modified form of channel construction, the view being taken in the plane of Figure l and showing a portion of the door with the door check and holding mechanism in opened position; Figure 8 is a section through Figure '7 as indicated by the lines 8-8 thereon; and, Figure 9 likewise is a section through Figure 7 as indicated by the lines 9-9 thereon.

As indicated above, the drawings illustrate three forms of the invention, all of which have certain common characteristics. Each form includes a link member of a door check and holding mechanism together with at least one spring arm carried against a broad face of the link and suitably secured to it. A cushion element or bumper encircles the link and the spring arm and functions to absorb the shock incident to stopping the door when it reaches its fully opened position. A complementary portion of the check and holding mechanism in the form of a generally channel shaped element with two spaced parallel ribs is mounted in position so the ribs lie on either side of the link which slides with respect to them through a portion of the channel at which the connecting web has been removed. The link mechanism is pivotally carried by either the door post member or the door member, preferably the former, and the channel mechanism is carried by the other member. In operation the mechanism functions so that the cushion or bumper resilientl limits the extent to which the door may be opened at which time one or both of the ribs of the channel are locked between the link and one or two spring arms carried thereby, thus retaining the door in opened position.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, the generally hollow left front door of an automobile is indicated at It! and is hingedly mounted at l2 to swing about a generally hollow front post or pillar M that'is rigid with the automobile frame. Because of the inward inclination of the hinge axis of the body posts or pillars the tendency of the door is to swing to a closed position so that the door shown in Figure l normally tends to move from its open position shown in solid lines to the closed posi tion shown in dot and dash lines and this can result in serious personal injury, particularly if such movement of the door is unexpected. The other doors of the car normally are mounted on similarly inclined hinge axes and hence are subject to the same tendency to close unexpectedly.

The door is checked in its opening motion by the resilient shock absorbing cushion or bumper. While the particular uses of the door check and holding mechanism described herein are directed toward automobiles, and more particularly to those with inclined hinge axes, it will be evident that the invention may be used in other circumstances. The constructions described herein represent three forms of the invention and customary method of use but the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the appended claims. In the forms of the invention illustrated herein the checking and holding mechanism is shown as principally contained within the hollow door and supported by a link secured to the door post but it will be evident that the installation may be reversed so the mechanism is largely contained within'the hollow vehicle body post or pillar and the link secured to the door.

Each form the present device includes a relatively flat straight steel arm or link l5 having its forward end pivotally or otherwise suitably connected at i? on an axis substantially parallel with the hinge axis 2 to a bracket i8 secured to the post. The other end of the link l5 lies within the generally hollow door, passing through the front edge wall 28 thereof and through a thicker vertical reinforcing partition or rib 22 secured as shown to the edge member 28 and the interior panel member 24 of the door. The opening in the edge member 2'0 is of sufficient size to receive the bracket l8 and the pin I! when the door is in the closed position shown in Figure 1. The opening in the vertical partition 22 is indicated at 25 and is in the form of a slot through which the flat link l5 may pass freely as hereafter described, the slot being of sufficient vertical width to permit spring arms mounted on the link to pass through when the door is opened or closed. It will be evident that the relative location of the bracket 18 and link [5 may be reversed so the bracket is secured to the door and the link slides into position within the door-post. 7

When the door is in 'the'closed position the check and holding mechanism is inoperative but when the door is opened the mechanism functions first to check the door as it reaches its fully opened position and thereafter to hold the door in-th'e opened position until such time as sufficient force is exerted upon it to release the holding mechanism and thereafter push the door to a closed position.

The components that cooperate with link [5 to make up the complete checking and holding mechanism are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and include two spring arms 30 formed of stiff spring steel and secured in cooperating relation with the link l5 and on opposite sides thereof. While it is preferred that two such spring members be provided it will be evident that, if desired, one

only may be'used' without departing from the present invention. Each spring arm includes a relatively flat portion 33 adapted to lie against 'the link l5 and a central raised portion 34 providing a pocket between the link and arm. The arm is bent inwardly at 3'! again to contact the link and terminates in an outwardiy extending lip 38 by which the spring arm is cammed over a bearing part hereafter described to permit the'same to become seated and releasably locked in the pocket or released thereform.

Each spring arm is secured permanently to the link l5 by an assembly including a member or washer 10 positioned as shown in Figure 2 on top of the flat portion 33 of a spring arm in such manner that the member, spring arm and link l5 are all secured together as a unitary assembly by a rivet 42. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 2 wherein two spring arms are employed it will be evident that two members or washers are provided and that the rivet 42 joins the link, both spring arms and both washer members together.

A cushion to absorb the shock incident to opening the door is provided in the form of a pad 45 made of rubber, neoprene or other resilient material; preferably in the form of a relatively thick disc with a central opening to accommodate the link and spring arms as shown in Figure 2. When the door is opened the full amount of the unabsorbed load transmitted by the cushion is taken by a steel stamped disc 41 mounted on the link [5 and interposed between the pad 45 and the adjacent shoulders of the washer members 40.

The mechanism just described engages with a cooperating stamped metal channel member indicated generally atfiliand carried by the vertical reinforcing partition or rib 22 of the door. This channel isillustrated in one form in Figures 2 and 3. Referring to these figures it will be seen that two generally parallel ribs 52 are provided and held in position with respect to each other by webs 54 at each end thereof. The webs are separated from each other by a cut away portion to accommodate the link !5 as it slides back and forth between the ribs as shown in Figure 3. As the ends of the ribs where they are connected by webs they are spaced somewhat further apart as indicated at 54' in contrast to their relative position at the mid portion where they are spaced considerably closer together as indicated at 55, this being accomplished by the inturned portions '56 of the ribs. The aforementioned construction permits the rib portions 55 to lie closely adjacent the surfaces ofthe link l5 providing a better locking action and preventing rattling of the parts. On the other hand the portions 54 thatare spaced further '5 apart provide ample room to receive the shanks of rivets 51 by which the channels 50 are secured to the vertical rib or partition 22, thus enabling the use of stronger and thicker rivets than might otherwise be provided.

When the door is swung from closed to opened position the various parts move relative to each other from the dotted to the solid line position of Figure 1 during which movement the lips 38 of the spring arms 30 engage the ribs 52 and by them are cammed away from the link [5 as the opening motion of the door continues. As the door approaches its final position the portions 3'! of the spring arms snap over ribs 52 looking them in the openings 35 formed by the outwardly bowed portions in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 thus holding the door in opened position. The force due to the opening motion of the door is absorbed by the cushion ts as the door attains the position shown in solid lines in Figure l. The arms 30 are very stiff to insure an adequate grip on the ribs 52 but on the other hand the width of the door is such that a relatively small force at the edge or the door multiplied by the moment arm represented by this width enables the door to be closed easily.

When the door is pushed to a closed position the bowed portion of the spring arms adjacent the portion ii'i acts as a cam. surface again to move the adjacent portion away from the link It and permit the ribs 52 to be withdrawn from beneath the spring arms as the door leaves the solid line position of Figure 1 to attain the dotted line position shown in that figure.

In addition to the form of construction described above two alternative forms are disclosed herein and will now be described. Each of these two forms makes use of link Iii, spring arms 3t, cushion 45, and supporting plate ll as illustrated and described in Figures 1 and 2. The spring arms and link are secured by rivets 42 as set forth above.

In the first or the modifications a channel member 6a is provided in which two ribs 6?. are held substantially parallel to each other by web portions cs at each end thereof. This provides an open space between the ribs slidingly to receive the link It whose cross-sectional area conforms generally to the open space defined by the inner surfaces of the rib 62 and the inner edges of the webs M as indicated at its in Figure 5. In this modification it will be evident that the ribs 62 are of smooth fiat contour and are not provided with the indented portions indicated at in Figure 3. expensive than the construction described above although it does not permit the use of rivets with shanks as wide as those there indicated. On the other hand, the construction is perfectly suitable for use Where unusually heavy loads are not encountered the channel being secured in place by rivets t'l.

A further alternative form of construction is illustrated in Figures '7, 8 and 9. Here again a cushion 45, spring arms 3%), link it and rivet 42 all are provided in the same general arrangement as described above. Likewise, as with the embodiments of Figures 1 and 4, the assembly is mounted in conjunction with a partition or rib 22 carried by the door it which in turn is hinged at I2 to the door post it (Figure 1). The partition 22 is again provided with an opening through which the link l5 and spring arms extend when the door is moved to open position.

This construction is somewhat less The channel member of this modification is formed by turning up a pair of ribs 12 from a centrally apertured fiat steel plate leaving at each end of the ribs a fiat web portion 14 that may be welded at 15 to the rib 22. The channel memher is positioned so as to span the opening 25 with the ribs 12 in position to engage the link l5 and spring arms 30 as they move through the opening 25. Here the ribs again are suitably spaced slidingly to receive the link l5 and permit the spring arms 30 to lock over them against the link as described above and hold the door in the opened position.

In operation the latter two forms of the invention function precisely as the first form: when the door is moved from the closed to the opened position it is checked by the cushion 45 and the lips 38 of the spring arms cam over the ribs 62 or "12 to seat them in the aforementioned pockets between the link and spring arms and hold the door open. Similarly when the door is closed the spring arms are cammed apart by the surfaces 3? and the door is released to be pushed into the closed position shown in Figure 1.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I have provided a new and improved form of door check and holding device that possesses the advantage of simplicity of design and of assembiy together with a sturdy construction adapted to the conditions incurred by use in automotive vehicles and the like.

I claim:

1. In a door check and holding device structure for use with a door member and its supporting frame member, an open-ended stamped metal channel element adapted to be mounted on one of said members, said channel element comprising two parallel spaced ribs iorming the opposite sides or" the channel element and spaced webs at the opposite ends of and integral with said ribs and forming the base portion of said channel element, said webs being disposed substantially normal to said ribs and connecting the end portions only of said ribs whereby a link supported on the other of said members may have sliding movement between said ribs in a plane normal to the plane of said webs, said end portions of said ribs being spaced apart farther than the mid-portions thereof.

2. In a door check and holding device structure for use with a door member and its supporting frame member, an open-ended stamped metal channel element adapted to be mounted on one or said members, said channel element comprising two parallel spaced ribs forming the opposite sides of the channel element and spaced webs at the opposite ends of and integral with said ribs and forming the base portion of said channel element, said webs being disposed substantially normal to said ribs and connecting the end portions only of said ribs whereby a link supported on the other of said members may have sliding movement between said ribs in a plane normal to the plane of said webs, said webs having enlarged end portions extending beyond the ends of said ribs and adapted to engage and be secured to said other member.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONTTZER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,237,046 Breitenwischer Apr. 1, 1941 2,507,389 Travis et al. May 9, 1950 2,544,528 DeVito Mar. 6, 1951 

